EARLY YEARS(PGCE)

ABOUT THE COURSE

The PGCE Early Years (3-7) course is ideal if you are looking to become a qualified teacher of children aged 3-7. You will study across a number of areas including; initial professional development covering the principles of the teaching profession, the EYFS areas of learning including Prime and Specific areas such as Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional development, Literacy, Maths, Expressive Arts and Design and Understanding the World. You also receive training in National Curriculum areas such as; English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, History, Geography, Art, Music, PE and RE.

Approximately half of the course is spent in schools, where the training continues and you are given opportunities to develop and extend your skills. Both within university and in school, time is built in for you to meet with your tutors regularly on a one to one basis to discuss your professional development.

As part of the course, you are expected to engage on a variety of levels with the course content and materials. Many of the sessions require active participation in early years approaches to teaching. In contrast to this, you will be expected to have some familiarity with accessing library and online resources to support your research into different aspects of Early Years education in preparation for the completion of assignments.

Formal assessment of the course takes place through observations of your teaching and your successful completion of assignments based on assessment, data analysis and action planning. Linking theory and practice is a key feature of the course; you undertake a number of curriculum and wider professional based tasks.

All Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses at Liverpool Hope offer you the opportunity to combine a programme of theory with real world experience. The initial professional development focuses on what underpins the work of an effective and successful teacher, while school placements offer you the opportunity to put theory into practice.

Initial Professional Development (IPD): This part of the programme covers general aspects of becoming a teacher. It is largely lecture-based supported by discussion-based seminars with an assigned professional tutor. IPD develops the student teacher's knowledge and understanding of a range of key issues in education.

Curriculum Overview

Successful completion of this PGCE Primary QTS Early Years Specialism (3-7 years) course is achieved through the following ways:

Award of Postgraduate Certificate in Primary QTS Early Years Specialism (3-7 years) - made upon successful completion of the formal subject based assignments at Masters level and successful completion of the two teaching placements. This provides a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 60 Masters credits.

Award of Professional Certificate in Primary Early Years Specialism (3-7 years) - made upon successful completion of formal subject based assignments at least at Honours level but below Masters level and successful completion of two teaching placements for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Work Placement Opportunities

Approximately half of the course is spent in schools, where the training continues and you are given opportunities to develop and extend your skills. Both within university and in school, time is built in for you to meet with your tutors regularly on a one to one basis to discuss your professional development.

School experience covers block placements in both Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage one. In addition, you complete a placement in a Key Stage two class and a Special Educational needs setting.

Entry Requirements

An undergraduate Honours Degree 2:1 or above. 2:2 may be considered if you have a Masters qualification.

GCSE Grade C or above in English, Mathematics and Science (Grade 4 or above in the new grading system). These can be pending but required before enrolment

Relevant experience in a school setting is beneficial for your application, but not essential.

Offers will be subject to a successful interview, as well as a Health Check Statement and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formally the Criminal Records Bureau – CRB).

It is a government requirement that you take the numeracy and literacy skills tests as part of the application process. You must ensure you have passed them both before the start of the course, please go to the Department of Education website for further details.

International Entry Requirements

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall (reading 6, writing 6), TOEFL ibt 87, or other equivalent recognised English language qualification.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages.

UK/EU TUITION FEES

Fees for 2018/19 entry are:

£9,250

FUNDING

There are a number of bursaries and scholarships available that can help you fund your PGCE.

Dependent upon your degree classification and the subject to be studied, training bursaries & scholarships may be available and range from £28,000 to £4,000. Please see information on the Teaching Agency’s website.

These bursaries are administered by the University so students do not have to apply for these. You will receive a letter from the Student Finance Team informing you of your award after you have been given an Unconditional Firm Offer. Payments are made on the 5th working day of each month from October to July.

For bursary awards up to £15,000:

Trainees will receive the bursary in 10 equal monthly instalments for the duration of their course.

For bursary awards of £15,000 or over:

Trainees will continue to receive 10 equal monthly instalments for the duration of their course, but this will be enhanced by larger payments in February and July, or in the final month of the trainee's course.

The trainee will need to be on the course at 1 January to receive the first enhanced payment in February, and would need to have completed the course to receive the second payment at the end of their programme.

INTERNATIONAL TUITION FEES

Fees for 2018/19 entry are:

£9,250

CAREERS

Once you have completed this degree, you will receive Qualified Teacher Status, which means you are eligible to become a teacher in a school setting. This course is particularly successful at preparing teachers who are reflective, skilful, knowledgeable and caring. You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective Hope Teacher, develop as an independent learner and nurture the beliefs, values and self motivation that you will need throughout your teaching career.

SKILLS TEST

It is a government requirement that you take the numeracy and literacy skills tests as part of the application process. The tests cover the core skills that teachers need to fulfil their professional role in schools. You must ensure you have passed them both before the start of the course.

The length of the tests and questions are appropriate for Key Skills Level 2/3. These tests do not replace the GCSE grade C equivalence entry requirement and you will still need these qualifications where necessary.

Before you take the tests

The Department of Education (DfE) has developed supporting materials to help candidates understand and prepare for the tests. The DfE website also has practice tests available to familiarise yourself with the tests. It is recommended that you only book your tests once you are confident and have a sound grasp of the skill required to pass the test. Skills tests are delivered via Learn Direct centres. You can visit the dedicated section of the Department of Education Professional Skills Tests website.

Book your test

Before booking a skills test you will need to register online. Applicants for ITT courses should register online. Login details will be issued within two working days, enabling access to the skills tests booking pages where you can book and manage appointments and view your testing history.

If you require an access arrangement due to a disability, please follow the online instructions when booking your tests. Depending on your need, you may be able to apply directly online, or you may have to fill in an application form. If your requested arrangement requires an application form and evidence to be provided before the test, this may take up to 10 working days to process. For more details please read the information about access arrangements.

Taking your tests

Here are a few helpful tips about the tests:

You must provide 2 forms of identification (ID) and evidence of your ITT application. You will not be allowed to take a test without them, so please allow enough time for ID checks to take place before your test.

You must provide evidence of your completed and submitted application at the test centre.

The skills tests are computer marked.

Candidates will have unlimited attempts to achieve a test pass.

The 2-year lockout period will be removed; candidates previously locked out will be able to book tests for both subjects.

All candidates will be able to book 3 tests per subject, free of charge. A charge will be applied from the fourth test attempt per subject.

Once you have passed the tests these results are valid for 36 months from the pass date.

Further Information

If you have any further questions regarding the skills test you can either contact our Student Recruitment team: